After meeting the Yogi, the mantra changed the station master’s entire life. This story is from the book “Living with the Himalayan Masters” by Swami Rama.

Swami Rama spent many years in rigorous meditation in the Himalayas, meeting various saints and yogis. Some incidents surprised Swami Rama, such as this one.

Once Swami Rama, along with his guru Swami Madhavananda Bharati, was waiting for a train at a station. At that time, the station master approached and greeted the guru, saying, “Maharaj, two days ago, I had a dream that I would meet a saint who would give me a mantra, and it would change my life. I have not been able to sleep for two days. Please help me. Give me a mantra that will improve my life.”

The saint replied, “You are government employees, why do you seek these things?” The station master was wise and understood the Yogi’s gesture. The station master said, “Maharaj, I am restless. Life seems very empty. I keep thinking repeatedly about why I was born. Why am I not happy?” Just say it once and see. I will follow your given mantra at all times and in all situations.

Listening to the station master’s words, Swami Rama’s guru thought for a moment and said to the station master, “Alright, this is the basic mantra of life. It may be difficult, but if you have the desire within you, it will bring color back into your life. New happiness and strength will emerge, and you will also understand the truth of life through this mantra.”

The mantra is: “For the next three months, always speak the truth. Whatever happens, I will speak the truth. This is very difficult, but if you faithfully follow this life mantra, your life will change drastically.” Saying this, the guru and Swami Rama left.

The station master started speaking the truth from that moment. First, he stopped taking bribes. The station master had a habit of drinking a lot of tea, but within two days, his tea-drinking habit faded away.

The station master began to feel deeply peaceful and started falling asleep.

During that week, an inspector from the railway station came to investigate. There was a complaint against several railway station employees. When the inspector questioned the station master, he told the truth. The station master said that so far, whatever bribes we have taken, we have divided among ourselves. The inspector immediately made a report, and a case was filed against the station master and other employees who took bribes.

All the employees were in trouble. In court, all the employees testified against the station master, saying that only the station master took the bribe and framed them to defame them. The station master was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His wife and children also left him.

The station master said to himself,

“It has only been 13 days since then, and because of telling the truth, my job and family have gone. I wonder what will happen in the next 3 months.”

These words came out of the station master’s mouth, and Swami Rama’s guru and Swami Rama started laughing loudly. Swami Rama asked, “Do you know what happened?” “Yes,” said Swami Madhavananda Bharati, “I gave the station master a mantra to tell the truth. Today, he is in trouble, and his family has left him.” Hearing this, Swami Rama asked, “Then why are you laughing?” Swami Madhavananda Bharati explained, “I’m laughing at the stupidity of the society not on station master. Until he was taking the bribe and he was lieing, the whole society respected him. The moment he started to talk truth everyone ditched even his own family”.

Soon police presented the station master in court. The judge asked, “Where is your lawyer?” The station master replied, “I don’t need a lawyer now.” Then the judge said again, “Take the help of a government lawyer. Perhaps your sentence may be reduced.”

But the station master said, “I don’t need a lawyer. No matter how severe the punishment, the truth is that I was part of the bribery that was taking place. But 13 days ago, I met a saint who told me never to lie and always speak the truth, no matter what. Since that day, I have confessed to my family, friends, and much more, and now I am standing in court.”

Upon hearing this, the judge declared a break and quietly called the station master into his chamber. He asked, who is that saint and what he told, upon listening to the entire story judge understood everything. The judge was also a disciple of the same saint, who had given the station master the mantra of speaking the truth. The judge said, “You are on the right path, but I wish I could also follow the path of truth.”

The station master has imposed a fine and lost his job too. His family and friends thought he had gone mad. He stayed in a room and started teaching children tuition, remaining committed to the truth.

One day, he received a government telegram informing him about compensation for a piece of land his father owned, which the government had taken over. The station master didn’t even know about the land. Realizing that he had not spoken a lie for three months, he found solace and happiness in speaking the truth, even in difficult situations.

He told his wife and children about the compensation and handed over the entire amount, his family asked him to stay with them. But the station master denied telling when he was lying and taking bribes his life depressing there was no peace. But the moment I started to speak the truth my life changed, yes there are a lot of problems outside but I’m very happy and peaceful inside. I know it’s very hard for you guys to walk this path so please take this compensation and live happily.

Swamiji saw this as a testament to the power of truth. The station master, despite losing everything, held onto it. This became the beginning of a great life, where he would inspire others with his story.